Comedian Victoria Wood dies aged 62 at her London home after short battle with cancer

20 April 2016 |

Victoria Wood has died at the age of 62 after a short battle with cancer, her publicist has said. 

The much-loved British comedian, singer and actress died at her north London home, surrounded by her family. 

Wood, an award-winning sketch writer, had written and starred in dozens of plays, films and sitcoms and was particularly famed for her work on the TV comedy series Dinnerladies.

Victoria Wood (pictured left on Dinnerladies and right in 2014) has died at the age of 62 after a short battle with cancer, her publicist has said

Wood started her career in 1974 by winning the talent show New Faces (pictured), before going on to become one of Britain's most popular stand-up comics

In a statement, her publicist Neil Reading said: 'Victoria Wood has sadly passed away, after a short but brave battle with cancer.

'The multi BAFTA award-winning writer, director, actor and comedian died peacefully at her North London home with family this morning. She was 62.

'The family ask for privacy at this very sad time.' 

Wood started her career in 1974 by winning the talent show New Faces aged 20, before going on to become one of Britain's most popular stand-up comics.

She made a name for herself through the award-winning television series Victoria Wood As Seen On TV, as well as her TV special Victoria Wood With All The Trimmings.

In 2006, she won two Bafta awards for acting and writing for her drama Housewife, 49, an adaptation of the diaries of Nella Last. 

Tributes have poured in from the showbusiness and comedy world.

Tony Hall, Director-General of the BBC,said: 'Victoria Wood was a woman with a stunning array of talents - a comedian, singer, songwriter, actress and director.

'People identified with her warmth and great charm. She brought people from all walks of life together and made them laugh and cry. She will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with her friends and family.' 

The writer and comic is pictured left in April last year at the Baftas. She also took part in the Comic Relief Bake Off, also last year

Wood (left) is pictured in 1979 with Julie Walters (right), one of her long-term collaborators and close friends

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: 'Victoria Wood was a national treasure loved by millions. My thoughts are with her family.'

Rory Bremner writing: 'No. NO. This is too much. Now lovely, warm, funny, brilliantly talented Victoria Wood has gone. Words, songs, plays, she wrote the lot. So sad.'

Jack Dee tweeted: 'I feel privileged to have known and worked with the great Victoria Wood. Unique and truly brilliant.'

Ricky Gervais wrote: 'RIP the brilliant Victoria Wood. So innovative, funny and down to earth. This has not been a good year.'

Journalist Caitlin Moran described the early influence Wood had on her, saying: 'Seeing Victoria Wood on TV - working class, bookish, silly, clever, doing stand-up, singing, acting - made me think 'Girls can do this'.'

In 1997, she was appointed OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, and picked up the accolade at Buckingham Palace with her then husband Geoffrey Durham and her two children (left). 

Wood received many awards in her long career. She won two other Baftas earlier in her career, both for best light entertainment performance.

The first was for Victoria Wood: As Seen On TV in 1986 and An Audience With Victoria Wood in 1989.

Victoria Wood As Seen On TV also won the Bafta for best entertainment programme in 1986, 1987 and 1988, while An Audience With Victoria Wood won the same award in 1989. 

She received a special Bafta tribute award in 2005.  

Wood's live comedy was often interspersed with her own compositions and she frequently played the piano.

She also composed and performed the theme music for Dinnerladies.  

In 1997, she was appointed OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, before being appointed CBE in the 2008 Birthday Honours.

TV presenter Esther Rantzen paid tribute to Wood, saying she admired her at the start of her career and has done ever since.

'She once said about me 'I don't know why they go on about her teeth - have you seen her dresses?', which I thought was quite fair,' Rantzen said.

Wood appeared on BBC One's That's Life! in 1976, which was her big break.

'She did a one-woman show for Childline where I felt hugely privileged to interview her and she told the story of her life with such wit. She just held us all enchanted for a whole evening,' Rantzen recalled.

'I think she is one of our greatest comic writers and performers, but she could also deal with serious issue as well, and she's a huge loss.'

Wood's long-term manager and friend, Phil McIntyre, said: 'Victoria has been a part of our lives as a friend, devoted mother and national treasure for 30 years.

'She was always modest, generous and undemanding. A super person and a super and unique talent. There will be an unfillable void left on all levels and we will miss her deeply.'